Clément de Rome
vers 35-vers 99 1st century Feast day: November 23
The prayer of a divided community, which asks first of all to see clearly.
Who was Clément de Rome?
The third successor of Peter in Rome, he wrote towards the end of the first century to the Christians of Corinth, divided by an internal quarrel. His letter is the oldest Christian text preserved outside the New Testament. It ends with a long prayer, the first the Church has handed down to us apart from Scripture.
In their own words
Open the eyes of our heart, that we may know you.
Raise up those who have fallen, show yourself to those in need, heal the sick, bring back those of your people who go astray.
Give us concord and peace, as you gave them to our fathers.